10 APRIL 2016. Increased volcanic activity at the volatile Mount Bromo has necessitated the temporary closure of the nearby Abdul Rachman Saleh Airport in Malang, East Java, on Sunday (10/04).

The airport has had to close on several occasions since November when authorities first recorded signs of increased activity at the 2,329-meter volcano, which is popular with visitors for its hiking and driving trails as well as its scenic beauty.

A Batik Air flight and one by Sriwijaya Air, both from Jakarta, had to be redirected to Juanda Airport in East Java’s capital Surabaya, 90 kilometers away.
All other flights to and from the Malang airport, some 30 kilometers from the volcano, had to be canceled.
Juanda Airport spokeswoman Liza Anindya said officials are bracing for a possible influx of passengers if the closure of the airport at Malang continues.

“We have coordinated with the airlines to transport passengers [from Surabaya to Malang] by road,” Liza said. “So far, we haven’t seen a significant increase [in flights being redirected to Juanda Airport] because there are not that many flights to Malang.”